San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-12-28

What Valerie has refused mer'
some moments deprived him of all power
| Of speech.
He was still sitting in the drawing room
with his sister-when Valerie's letter was
brought to him.
His cheek flushed, and his hand actually
shook, as he took the letter from the salver.
From Valerie Herbert" he said, half
turning toward Miss Lawford. who, it may
be stated, had never approved Of the pro-
posed alliance. regarding Valerie as q
heartless fiirt, and even darkly limiting that
so giddy a wife would hardly be very trust
worthy.
He opened the letter, expecting Of course,
a grateful acceptance, and as he read he
went hvid.
RefusedI Impossiblel There must be
some mistakel He read again; but there
was no misleading that plain and straight
refusal.
He sat staring at the page, the pallor in
his face changing to purple flush; while
his sister watched him in intense anxiety,
and at last broke out with:
aston, what In Heavens name is the
natter"
What" he said, starting to his feet,
crumpling the letter in his clenched hand,
and dashing it to the floor, Valerie has
refused mep'
Refused you?'
GAY, refused mel After all that has
passed-after leading me on-after the
whole world has pronounced it, and justly.
almost an engagement, this petted, pam,
pered beauty Of eighteen coolly tells me
that she can't marry me, because, forsooth,
she doesn't love me! Ha, har'-he threw
back his head with harsh laugh-'and
begs me to forgive her for having trified
with me. But, by Heavenp' he went on,
beginning to pace the room, "Pll bring her
to her kneesI I warned her to tri1e no
more; and in spite of that warning, she is
simply trying to coquette-to make me beg
and entreat! Refuse mel There isn't Q
manageable girl in society who would not
thank Heaven for an offer from Aston
Lawford"
"Astonp pleaded his sister
"Does that child imagine" he went on,
not needing her, "that am to be made 0
butt of-jilted, as If were trumpery lad,
fit to hold her gloves or fan, and dismissed
when he is done With She must have
written that letter without her aunt's
knowledge. Yes, surely" he added, paus
ing, and speaking little more calmly,
MRS. Langley has been out all day. Va
lerie only had my letter in the afternoon,
and Mrs. Langley could scarcely, have
reached home before the servant who
brought this answer left. Why, them
he flung himself into chair-"the matter
is soon settled. The GIRL if she means re-
fusal-and don't believe she does-will
soon have to WELD"
A knock at the door, and a servant en-
tered
please, SIR" said he handing a letter,
"this has just come from Whitehall Gar,
dens"
Lawford opened the letter quickly, and
read aloud:
"SIR:
81 have, with great grief, to inform you
that telegram arrived an hour ago from
Colonel Beauregard, to say that Mr.. Beau.
regard died at eight o'clock this evening.
Your Obedient servant,
John WITrER."
A blank pause. Then Miss Lawford,
who had started into sitting posture, said
slowly:
aston, the meaning Of Valerie's letter
is clear. Mrs. Langley dictated its pur-
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paouraaordr, '' lawn
$50 Ion,ors .r,oa aud ,ooLo, ~ b;s
sister.
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